The pace bowler has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a major part. With luck from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss several home seasons in four years.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
